Outside in Minnesota!
Help us inspire other Minnesotans to get out and enjoy the outdoors!
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Organizers stockpiling snow, preparing to greet elite skiers for World Cup race in Minneapolis
In just over two months, the world's top cross-country skiers will flock to Minneapolis for a World Cup event. And to make sure the trails are in top shape, organizers are working now to stockpile snow. Lots and lots of snow. -
Hope, happiness and social connection: Hidden benefits of regular exercise
A new book, “The Joy of Movement,” offers more motivation to exercise. It's not just about getting fit or looking good: Exercise can give you courage, pleasure and better friendships. -
Organizers stockpiling snow, preparing to greet elite skiers for World Cup race in Minneapolis
In just over two months, the world's top cross-country skiers will flock to Minneapolis for a World Cup event. And to make sure the trails are in top shape, organizers are working now to stockpile snow. Lots and lots of snow. -
No child left inside: Small grants for getting kids outdoors in high demand
Last year, state lawmakers approved $1.2 million in funding for a new program that established small grants to make the outdoors more accessible to more kids. On the eve of the second round of applications, the response has been significant. -
Winter is a great time to watch birds
You don’t have to wait until spring to get outdoors and enjoy nature. If you know where to go, what to look for and how to prepare, winter is an excellent time to go bird watching. An expert birder offers advice and answers questions about birds in Minnesota. -
Moorhead seeks to thwart turkey takeover
Moorhead officials are developing a plan to manage a growing population of urban turkeys. A public meeting this week drew about 70 people — many with tales of turkey conflict. -
Close encounters of the bird kind
You don't need to travel into the woods to see wildlife in Minnesota. There's plenty around towns and urban areas, too! We recently reported on the turkey takeover happening in Moorhead. Here are a few folks from around Minnesota who have also had run-ins with these rafters. Have your own urban-wildlife story to share? Let us know here! -
"My wife and I live in South Minneapolis. There's a wild turkey that's been coming to our home fairly regularly. We think it might be living in Minnehaha Park. We love its visits. It's a taste of the wild in an overly urban area. We enjoy watching it in the yard and will miss it when it's gone." — Hubert Hix
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Protecting the house: Duluth’s backyard rinks continue tradition of frozen fun
For many Minnesotans, winter presents a welcome break from yard work. But for some in Duluth, when the ground freezes, the work begins: on a backyard hockey rink. -
Your stories: What should people know before building a backyard rink?
What should others know before building their own backyard rink? Share your experience! -
Courtesy of Eberle Morgan "We live in the heart of South Minneapolis near Minnehaha Falls park. At the end of March 2019 I was cleaning the deck in exciting anticipation of warmer days to come. There were oak leaves everywhere, even some sticking out of the cat cave of the cat tree we have kept on the back deck for many years. Without giving it much thought, I went to pull the leaves out and was greeted by a wet pink nose – I recoiled in alarm and then realized it was an opossum. I wondered how long the little critter had been squatting there … perhaps throughout the winter? Not wanting to encourage the creature to hang out in such close proximity to our cats, and since the weather was getting warmer, I waited till midnight and went to see if it had gone out to explore, which it had, and schlepped the cat tree out to the alley to be taken by solid waste or whomever decided to cart it away. I’ve encountered it again a few times on a summer evening when I’ve been filling the bird feeder … we look at each other, it sidles away to a corner of the garden and presumably waits for me to retire so it can raid the bird feeder in peace. I like it being here and hope it has found a comfy place for this winter’s nap." — Eberle Morgan -
Connect to the cold: Why you should consider winter camping
With a little preparation, winter camping can give you a chance to connect to a quiet, serene outdoors and quick access to some of your favorite winter activities. -
Backyard rinks: A Midwestern tradition
Earlier this month, we had a story about the tradition of backyard rinks in Duluth. It takes a lot of work but all the families we spoke to considered the effort well worth it. Here are a few other folks around the region keeping the tradition alive in their families and communities.
Courtesy of Maria Gibbons. Passing on the fun"We built a rink in the backyard this winter. And when I saw 'we' I mean my husband! Haha! He built the boards out of 2x4s before it snowed. He ordered a rink tarp online and then with the neighbor, put it up as it started getting cold. Once it was cold enough for the ice to freeze, he spent many nights outside, filling the rink. We didn’t have an indoor spigot, so our neighbors graciously let us use their hose to fill the rink. We did discover that while our yard looks level, that isn’t the case! Thankfully the original design was very large, as 1/4 of the rink closest to the house wouldn’t fill. Next year, he plans on turning the rink sideways, to make it level.We both grew up playing outdoor hockey/outdoor skating. It’s a great way to enjoy the Minnesota winter and we wanted our four kids to experience the same kind of fun we had as kids. We live in a new development, full of kids. It’s been a great way to get the kids outside together. The cousins also have been having fun coming over to skate! Our youngest plays hockey as well, so this was an added way to get her some more ice time. We both come from big hockey families and while I grew up skating with friends, my husband played hockey through high school and coached boys bantams for many years." — Maria Gibbons, Lake Elmo
Courtesy of Read Winkelman. Backyard rinks, a statewide tradition"It would be great to see some stories about backyard rinks in St. Paul. I've been building rinks in our yard since my daughter was 3 or 4, and this year is no exception. Dealing with a graded yard, holes in the liner, draining and dismantling, are all challenges. Our hockey association just completed our Squirt tournament in St. Paul — all outdoors.I grew up playing hockey in Virginia (the state). I made the rink after a winter when my daughter wanted to skate and I took her to an outdoor rink. After about 15 minutes, she wanted to get hot chocolate. We went for hot chocolate, and then she wanted to skate again. And I thought this would be so much easier to do from the house with a rink in the backyard." — Read Winkelman, St. PaulWell worth the effort
Courtesy of John. "I was planning to build from scratch but decided to check Craigslist around the bigger Midwestern cities to see if anyone was selling theirs. Luckily I got a great deal from a guy in the suburbs of Chicago. Loaded my trailer and made the seven hour round trip. I had almost everything I needed but added a puck stop netting and lights since. Dealing with and misjudging the slope of my yard was definitely the first major obstacle. Constant shoveling, sweeping, and resurfacing are no picnic either, but the moment my kids get home and ask to go out there, it’s all more than worth it.When I was in young my dad flooded the yard and the neighborhood would skate on it. Recently, a lot of families here in town have done it and I always wanted to but didn’t think I had the means. Once I joined the Backyard Ice Rinks Facebook page I was instantly hooked reading the plethora of knowledge the members were sharing. It wasn’t long before I realized I could do it 'with help from my friends' on social media. That assurance along with a bad case of rink envy pushed me over the edge. I’m extremely glad I took the leap. My back may not appreciate it, but I have all spring, summer, and fall to rest up 😅. I play adult league hockey here in town and coach my sons’ teams." — John, Black River Falls, Wis.Have your own backyard rink story you'd like to add to this collection? Tell us about it here!
